[A small ramen shop in Meguro, 10:21 PM]
[The steam from the bowls rose in slow curls, disappearing into the dim lights of the cozy shop tucked under a railway bridge in Meguro. The scent of miso and shoyu broth mixed with sizzling pork and garlic hung thick in the air.]
Ryou: Damn, it's been forever since we just sat down like this...
Shin: sipping quietly, her chopsticks frozen mid-air That's because the last time we did, we were almost shot at in Ueno.
Sera: smirking with a rare glint of ease Technically, I started that.
[Across from them, Shirou, Shizuka, Kei, and Mio huddled around their own table.]
Kei: Bro, this is the real deal. Not even that expensive 'konbini bento' can beat this.
Mio: That's because it's not microwaved chicken sitting in soy sauce for eight hours, dummy.
Shirou: grinning as he stirs his broth Still better than what I used to eat when freelancing.
Shizuka: quietly looking around, then softly Feels... peaceful.
[Outside, the neon lights buzzed faintly, reflecting on the wet pavement. The chaos of the recent raid was still fresh in their minds, but for now, it felt distant-just another layer in the lives they chose.]
Ryou: leaning over the divider toward Shirou's table Hey, vigilante boy. You fought pretty well earlier. Didn't expect you to catch that knife mid-air.
Shirou: shrugging Guess adrenaline works when you're broke and tired enough.
Sera: chiming in with a small chuckle He's improving. Might be because someone's watching over him.
[She gave a knowing glance to Shizuka, who turned pink and buried her face in her bowl.]
Shin: clearing her throat Enjoy the moment. We'll need your heads back in the game soon. But tonight...
[She raised her glass of water.]
Shin: ...is for surviving. Together.
[Everyone lifted their cups. The night was vibrantly calm during that moment.]
Ryou: Shin, I just noticed, you sounded like Captain alot even before mission, what's gotten into you suddenly?
Shin: flabbergasted Ah-! Ahahaha... That was... nothing?
Sera: Sis handled her to lead the mission for now, no wonder she filled up that task so diligently...
Shin: nervous laughter I got motivated, perhaps?
[Everyone filled the laughter.]
[The chopsticks clinked, broth was slurped, and for one fleeting evening in Tokyo, the war paused.]
[The cold breeze of late-night Tokyo brushed past them as they stepped out of the shop, the faint rumble of a train overhead humming through the silence.]
Ryou: stretching his arms That hit the spot... If anyone needs me, I'm crashing for a full twelve hours.
Shin: zipping up her jacket You'll be up in five, grumbling about the caffeine not hitting right.
Sera: smirking I give him four.
[They exchanged light chuckles before turning to the others.]
Shin: to Shirou's group You all did well today. Rest up. Captain will talk about the next steps soon.
Shirou: Got it, Shin. Thanks for the ramen.
Shin: with a faint smile Also thanks for the ramen...
Shirou: faintly smiles Don't mention it.
[One by one, they went their separate ways into the Tokyo night.]
[11:24 pm]
Mio: Ah-! I forgot something! You guys go first, I'll catch up.
Shizuka: concerned You sure? I can go with you.
Mio: No, it's fine. I'll be quick. I'll call you if something happens.
Shirou: Okay, take care.
[Mio nodded.]
[The soft chime of the automatic doors greeted Mio as she stepped inside. The cool air of the refrigerated aisles was a stark contrast to the warmth outside. Fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead.]
[She made her way down the aisles quickly-grabbing a box of painkillers, melon soda, a couple of rice balls, and finally, her weekly guilty pleasure: peach gummies.]
[As she turned around to head toward the counter, her steps froze.]
[There he was.]
[Ace.]
[Tall, refined, and clad in a neat charcoal coat over his turtleneck. His silver-white hair looked slightly tousled, his amber eyes scanning the manga shelf with disinterest.]
[For a moment, Mio just stood there, like her memory had dragged him out of her past.]
Mio: whispering to herself You've gotta be kidding me...
[She remembered him-vividly.
The man from the quiet corners of the library. Always reading. Always alone. They'd shared conversations once, strange and awkwardly poetic ones. Then, like a ghost, he disappeared.]
[Now here he was, casually flipping through the pages of a manga about gourmet food.]
[Mio leans back to the books to buy again. Then, she steered back to him and he's suddenly gone.]
Ace: talks silently behind her You're still into gummies, huh?
[Mio gasped, nearly dropping the basket she's holding.]
Mio: shocked Ookami-! Y-you scared me there...
Ace: laughs Hehe, sorry.
Mio: ...You're still pretending you weren't the one who ghosted, huh?
Ace: Still as sharp as ever. But no, this isn't a coincidence. I was hoping to run into you.
Mio: Seriously? What kind of guy uses a convenience store reunion like some shojo plotline?
Ace: The kind who owes you a conversation he never gave.
[The store's atmosphere suddenly felt heavier-like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. Quiet music played over the speakers. The cashier kept to himself, uninterested in their subtle tension.]
[Mio hesitated, then turned away.]
Mio: Say what you have to say. But make it quick. My team's waiting.
Ace: walking beside her as she headed toward the counter Then maybe... let me walk you home later on?
[They walked side by side, not rushing. Despite the sharpness in her tone earlier, Mio couldn't deny that seeing Ace again stirred something she thought she'd shelved a long time ago.]
Ace: with a casual glance at her basket
Still into psychological thrillers?
Mio: smirking They keep my brain sharp. Unlike you, still stuck on slow-burn romances and cooking essays.
Ace: laughing softly Guilty. But you used to sneak fantasy novels in between those crime dramas.
Mio: shrugging Maybe. Got a problem with that?
Ace: Not at all. Actually... I've been stuck lately. Can't find anything that hooks me. Got any recommendations?
[She paused for a second, as they neared the counter.]
Mio: Try 'The City Beneath Glass' by Aoyama Jun. It's about a detective chasing ghosts of his own regrets while solving crimes that mimic old legends. It's eerie... poetic... and a bit painful.
Ace: genuinely intrigued Sounds like you just described yourself.
[Mio shot him a glare, but there was no venom in it.]
Mio: Don't get too comfortable. You're still on thin ice for vanishing like that.
[They placed their items on the counter. The cashier scanned silently, unfazed by the quiet tension between the two.]
Ace: I deserved that. But maybe... maybe I was afraid. Of how shy I am to talk to you.
[Mio didn't respond right away. She paid for her things, grabbed the bag, and headed for the door.]
[As they exited, the cool night air greeted them. The stars peeked faintly behind the haze of Tokyo lights.]
Mio: I don't need promises or excuses, Ace. But maybe-she glanced at him-just talk to me whenever you want, I'm not gonna bite.
Ace: smiling faintly I have no worries then.
[As they reached the end of the convenience store's small parking lot, Ace turned slightly toward her.]
Ace: Mind if I walk you home?
Mio: after a short pause Suit yourself.
[They walked through the quiet Tokyo streets, the night lit only by scattered streetlights and the distant hum of cars. Neither of them spoke much. But the silence between them wasn't heavy-it was calm.]
[They eventually arrived near her neighborhood, a modest lane tucked between two apartment buildings, dimly lit and peaceful.]
Ace: slowing his steps Guess this is where I stop.
Mio: nodding Yeah... thanks, for the company.
Ace: Anytime, Mio.
[He offered her a small, almost nostalgic smile, one that seemed to carry unspoken memories.]
Ace: Take care. Ah-almost forgot. Let's exchange Qline, shall we?
Mio: Y-yeah, sure.
[Both grabbed their phone and exchanged their phone numbers.]
Ace: Okay, I'll see you sometime then, ah-also, I'll give the book I've borrowed from you next time.
Mio: with a faint smirk You better. See you again, Ace.
Ace: Yeah, bye.
[With that, Ace turned and walked back down the road. Mio watched him disappear into the night, the soft sound of his footsteps fading with the breeze.]
[She didn't say it aloud, but something in her chest tightened.]
[It had been a long time since someone walked her home like that.]
[Mio quietly opened the front door, stepping inside with her usual calm demeanor. But just as she slipped off her shoes-]
Ryokou: smirking suspiciously with arms crossed Well, well, well... look who's back from her little midnight date.
Mio: flatly It wasn't a date.
[Before she could say anything else, a burst of giggles echoed from the living room. Kei was practically rolling on the floor, and Ryokou joined in, nudging Mio like an annoying younger sister.]
Kei: teasing
Come on~ we saw you both from the window. So romantic. Walking side by side under the streetlights!
Ryokou: mock dreamy voice
A tall, mysterious man suddenly appears and offers to walk you home? Mio-chan, are you in a shoujo manga now?
Mio: sighs, brushing past them
You both need hobbies.
[She placed her bag on the kitchen counter, trying her best to ignore their exaggerated swooning behind her.]
Ryokou: Oho~ she's flustered.
Kei: Blushing too! Look, look!
Mio: coldly Keep it up and I'll recommend you both a novel-about getting drop-kicked into another world.
Kei, Ryokou: Eep!
[From the couch, Shirou glanced over with a small smile, watching the chaos unfold with Shizuka quietly giggling beside him.]
[As the teasing died down-barely-Ryokou leaned in closer to Mio, a glint of mischief in her sleepy eyes.]
Ryokou: grinning Sooo... was that the same guy from the library? Or are you secretly collecting tall mysterious men now?
Mio: eyes narrowing
It's the same guy. His name's Ace.
Ryokou: gasps dramatically You remembered his name? Ohhh it's serious!
Kei: mock scandalized
Next thing we know, she's gonna bring him over for dinner.
Mio: grabbing a magazine and gently bonking Kei on the head Keep talking and I'll make sure you end up in one of my horror picks.
Shizuka: softly, trying not to laugh He did seem polite though...
Shirou: still lounging with arms crossed If he's someone suspicious, I'll have a talk with him myself.
Mio: Huh? Who are you, my father?
Shirou: Just making sure.
Ryokou: quickly nudging Mio
Uh-oh. Big bro mode activated. You better warn Ace.
[Mio sighed and tried not to smile. These people could be ridiculous-but moments like this were something she wouldn't trade for anything.]